Surveying the landscape through squinted eyes, I pinpoint our route among the shattered desert rocks. The sun is bright but the day is cold.

Our company of three, head towards the maze of rocks, guided by intuition.Buddy behind me and my love at the rear.

Shallow dry creek beds wind their way through the plains as tumbleweeds drift across our path.Joshua trees whimsically paint the horizon, as a melody is heard from behind. My love, has started singing.

The wind of insight blows in as we continue to stride along the unmarked path. “Everything is an offering to Itself” I whisper, as the bushes appear to be bowing to the ground. “Unique expressions of the Divine in all.”

My stomach churns as the medicine activates. Coyotes are near, I can feel their energy. I want to run in a pack and howl to the sun.

Buddy and I rush towards a rocky point, that marks the entrance to a canyon. A 40ft cliff standing guard.

We look at each other and look at the rock. “Reckon it’ll go?”

Buddy puts his climbing shoes on and hands me mine. I look for my love who is happily singing to the plants, immersed in musical therapy and inspiration. “Okay, lets check it out!”

At the base, the rock is steep and overhanging but has huge hand holds leading out to the apex about 30ft up in space…so tempting.

I climb a little to scope out the route and gauge the committing move, a part where you throw your leg above your head and pull yourself over the top.

Back on the ground we “umm” and “err” but the decision has already been made.

Deep breath, Lets do this.

Buddy goes first and pauses on the overhang…my arms out below, in case I have to catch him. Pretty soon he pulls over the top, running to the summit. My turn.

I take a breath with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. We all climb mountains, inwardly and outwardly, you have the power, take courage.

Go. Feet scraping on tiny footholds and following the rail of holds, I arrive at the apex quickly. I look to the ground, Buddy is down from the top and cheering me on. As I cling to the apex, fear creeps in…I’m hanging too long.

I feel the wind of the crow’s wings flapping near by, giving me a boost.

The mind empties and all that is left, is to just do it. One last lunge.

Soon I am running to the summit and howling to the vista. The rock formations resemble brown giants against the infinite blue sky.

My old friend the crow, circles overhead and floats out of sight.

The help is always there.

*

Meditating in the sunny silence, the visions begin. A huge woman with fangs stares at me with hostility. I don’t react and watch her shrink into a little girl, afraid and behind bars. I realise a lot of adults act out due to some childhood hurt. Compassion is the answer.

A new wave of women appear, acting aggressive and lustful. Again I don’t react and watch them change into loving mothers nurturing babies.

I feel the love of the Divine as a massive stained glass image of Mother Mary, the supreme nurturer, appears.

Opening my eyes, the pure blue sky is filled with outlines of children and adults holding hands in a circle above me.

The sacred unity of our essence.

*

The effects of the medicine begin to recede and I scramble down to meet Buddy. We muse over the battles, the fears, and the glory of climbing mountains. The camaraderie is priceless.

Later on, I find my partner in the canyon, who is singing on a rock in the sun. The canyon walls vibrating with her powerful lyrics and strong heart.

I give her a hug and in my closed eyes see her wearing a feathered head dress, like a native american ‘chief-ess’.

I step back to look at her. She has a mystical air about her. Adorned with black and purple raven energy, representing magical self-expression.

The three of us walk back to camp as the sun begins to set. A coyote runs past me and I thank him for the lessons of the day.

“Oh Coyote medicine, thank you for reminding me, the importance of community spirit, to play and to laugh at what I take so seriously!”

Back at camp, our neighbour has chopped and prepared our firewood…what a gift.